It's no secret that everyone struggles in some way, and there's no doubt that the world hands out these obstacles unequally.
The most important thing to have when you're struggling is someone to talk to about it. It's hard enough to get through the crazy obstacles that life throws your way, but it's even more challenging to get through them when you feel absolutely alone.
That said, I've noticed that as a society, we've almost made it a competition to see who has it worse. If someone says that they only got four hours of sleep, someone will chime in that they're surviving only on two. While how many hours of sleep someone got may not be such a drastic example, this type of competitive attitude is harmful when we get into more serious topics like mental health, loss, or self-esteem.
We shouldn't try to make it a competition to see who has it worse. Pain and sadness are relative, and it's important to recognize this when people come to you with things that are bothering them. Just because you or someone else may have handled worse doesn't mean that what someone is going through isn't hard either.
That said, it's important to note that there is a distinct line between trying to relate to someone's situation and looking down on them for struggling with it. Relating to them may be extremely helpful, but the benefits cease when you begin to condescend them for struggling. I promise, telling someone that you have experienced worse will not make their situation any better.
Instead, we should focus on building each other up and encouraging people when they are struggling. Life can be hard sometimes, and it's important to have someone to go to when that happens. If we continue to be people that others can rely on for helpful support instead of competition, the world will become a much more accepting place.